I see it every day: People trying to create a home that somebody else tells them they should have. I don't care if it's a magazine or a bossy friend - when somebody says, 'This is what's elegant, this is what's trendy,' if it doesn't represent you, you're not going to be happy.
Interpretation
True happiness comes from creating a home that reflects your own identity, not one dictated by external influences.
In this quote, Nate Berkus highlights the importance of personal authenticity in creating a space that genuinely represents who you are, rather than conforming to the often arbitrary standards set by others. He emphasizes that when people follow trends or advice that do not resonate with their true selves, they are likely to feel unfulfilled and unhappy in their own environment.
In practice
In a talk about interior design, you could share this quote to emphasize the importance of personal style.
About 80 percent of the stuff I live with is old. I like letting things take on the character they’re meant to have by really being used. … when you own things that have the imperfections they deserve, that they’ve earned from a well-lived life, it frees you from feeling as though they’re untouchable.
I believe your home tells a story about who you are and who you aspire to be. We represent ourselves through the things we own. I don't believe in trends. I believe in collecting things that you connect with. We should surround ourselves with things we care about, that have meaning.
Whether we're prepared or not, life has a habit of thrusting situations upon us.
If you truly want to grow as a person and learn, you should realize that the universe has enrolled you in the graduate program of life, called loss.
You can't have it all all at once. Over my lifespan, I think I have had it all, but in given periods in time, things were rough. And if you have a caring life partner, you help the other person when that person needs it.
But if you're gonna dine with them cannibals Sooner or later, darling, you're gonna get eaten . . .
Life is like a garden, you reap what you sow
we are all supposed to think of reasons to live.
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